(CHATHAM-KENT, ON) On April 26, 2014, just before 9:30 p.m., Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were conducting a traffic investigation on the south shoulder of the eastbound lanes of Highway 401 near Charing Cross. As officers were outside of their police vehicles attending to the traffic stop, they observed a Nissan vehicle approaching eastbound in the right lane. The vehicle did not move to the left lane for the emergency police vehicles and officers at the scene.
Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke with the male driver regarding his driving habits. The driver, 56 year old Michael KELL, from Toronto, has been charged with Fail To Move Into Another Lane For Emergency Vehicle If Safe To Do So, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act.
Chatham-Kent OPP is reminding motorists that the Highway Traffic Act requires drivers who are travelling on the same side of the highway as a stopped emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated, are required to slow down and proceed with caution. In addition to slowing down, where there are two or more lanes of travel in the same direction, drivers are required to move to the left for emergency vehicles, if safe to do so. Failing to do so could result in a $490.00 fine and three demerit points.